Track feature detection using machine vision
AssigneeHarsco Technologies LLC
InventorJavier Fernandez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure generally relates to automated detection of railroad track features. Images of a railroad track are captured and analyzed to identify track features such as anchors, spikes, rail ties, tie plates, and joints. Various image processing techniques are utilized to accurately distinguish between track features and other objects in the captured images. Track features identified in the images are assigned identifiers and locations and stored in a database so that a status and/or condition of the track features may be monitored for maintenance purposes.
Claims18
A railroad track feature detection system comprising:
- a camera configured to capture a plurality of images,
- one or more light sources;
- and
- a computing system comprising:
- at least one memory comprising instructions;
- and
- at least one processing device configured to execute the instructions, wherein the instructions cause the at least one processing device to perform operations comprising:
- receiving a first image of the plurality of images;
- detecting one or more imaged rail features in the first image;
- identifying a first rail feature of the one or more imaged rail features;
- determining location information of the first rail feature;
- and
- sending one or more instructions based on the location information of the first rail feature to cause a maintenance action to be performed on the first rail feature.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
- receive a plurality of images from a camera coupled to a frame of a rail vehicle, the camera positioned such that the plurality of images contain a rail track;
- detect a plurality of imaged rail features in the plurality of images;
- identify the detected rail features and assign feature identifiers to each of the identified rail features;
- detect and identify a color marker in the plurality of images;
- based on the color marker, determine a first rail feature of the plurality of imaged rail features in need of maintenance;
- and
- based on the determination, generate an alert.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.